Conference Makeup That Commands Respect

Just finished presenting at NCA, small award in hand, flight home tomorrow. While packing, I'm looking at the makeup that got me through three days of academic performance anxiety. I brought exactly what I needed and nothing more. Tom Ford 31 for morning sessions—matte browns that whisper "I know what I'm talking about" without trying too hard. The formula is unforgiving but worth it when you nail the blend. Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes saved dinner presentations; sometimes you need that flash of shimmer to remind everyone you're human, not just a research machine. Two NARS blushes came with me. Impassioned for the soft credibility of a put-together academic. Mata Hari—that bruised purple shade everyone avoids—for when I needed to look alive after five hours of conference coffee. It's deceptively wearable, like academic confidence itself. Three lipsticks: MAC See Sheer for "approachable expert," MAC Business Casual for "take me seriously," and YSL 83 layered on top when I needed to feel powerful during Q&A. Chanel base and powder because some things shouldn't be experiments when you're already performing. What's your go-to makeup when you need to feel professionally untouchable? #beauty #makeup #academiclife